Spanish Water dog

The Spanish Water dog or Canagua Perro de Agua Espanol, or Perro de Agua Espanol is a very old breed and belongs to the ancient Barbet family. Used as a hunting and herding dog with a keen sense of smell sight and sound.

They are believed to have originated in North Africa and brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors during their occupation (710-1036). Another theory is that these dogs might have come with the various barbarians tribes that invaded Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the mid 1970s, the work of Antonio Garcia Perez and Santiago Montesinos resulted in the Spanish Water Dog recognised as a pure breed.

It was not until January 2004 that the Spanish Water Dog was recognised by the United Kennel Club.